This panel will interrogate the upsurge of the new(?) homicidal/suicidal religiosity in the West. Possible perspectives are political,sociological, activist, and philosophical. Approaches can cover the fullrange from critical analysis to prescriptions for political action. Somepossible ideas, not intended to restrict ideas but just to spur thinkingon a few possible approaches:

- the suicide bomber as Kierkegaardian hero - religious mania as a reaction to/ byproduct of Western modernity - leaps of technological faith: the new high-tech cargo cults (Heaven's Gate, etc) - the faith of Abraham vs the faith of Andrea Yates - when religion comes to power: implications from the Taliban to the Christian Right

Abstracts to be submitted to Stephen Gallagher, jeng_steveg_at_hotmail.com by5/15/09.